Woman Goes on ‘Solo Date’ With Herself, Unprepared for What Happens Next

A solo date turned into an unexpected encounter when a woman took herself out for an afternoon of art and wine.

Jess Hackett, 31, didn’t expect to cross paths with a handsome stranger—or to give him her number—but spontaneity ruled her actions, and she posted about the meeting in a viral TikTok. Hackett spoke to Newsweek about the video, which reached over 165,000 people, and if the mystery man ever followed up with her.

“I was taking myself out for a solo date to the National Gallery…Spotted this bar and think it looks perfect for a glass of vino and some reading,” she captioned the video. “When the guys next to me go to leave, I lock eyes with Mr. Very Tall, Very Handsome…I stroll outside, approach casually, his smile makes me weak at the knees. We introduce ourselves and I offer him my number.”

Hackett, originally from Australia, said she had been taking herself on solo dates since moving to London to combat the challenges of making new friends.

“Making friends in your 30s is truly a hurdle,” she said. “I freelance for work so it can be lonely already, and means I need to seek out connection.”

A Chance Encounter

Although Hackett spent the day alone, her encounter with the man was encouraged by several strangers along the way. The bartender, she said, was the one who suggested she give him her number.

“I just have this ‘three, two, one, go’ mentality anytime I have to face something overwhelming and her encouragement, as well as a few sips of wine, certainly helped with the courage to approach,” she said. “I put my number in his phone and then left it to fate! He kissed me on each cheek and ran off into Soho.”

Inside the bar, the staff erupted in cheers.

“It was this gorgeous moment of connection, them supporting me, me being vulnerable and feeling flirty,” Hackett said.

Did He Ever Text?

Hackett said she never heard from her mystery man, but rather than dwell on what could have been, she saw the experience as a win.

“I told myself, even if I don’t hear from him, I’m still proud of myself for approaching him and it’s just practice,” she said.

She also revealed a possible reason for his silence. Her WhatsApp was still registered to her Australian number, but she had given him her U.K. number.

“I spent the following hour in the bar, freaking out he wouldn’t be able to reach me and spontaneously committed to changing all my numbers over,” she said. “Which was also a big move moment I was putting off for all the emotional ties you have to your home country. Maybe he tried, we’ll never know.”

Putting Yourself Out There

Although she hasn’t heard from her spontaneous connection, Hackett said even pursuing the possibility left her thrilled. “It made me feel alive, and flirty and fulfilled in a wild vulnerable way,” she explained.

She credited her fearless approach to dating to her mother, who had always encouraged her to strike up conversations and take chances.

And for those hesitant about solo dates or making the first move, she had simple advice: “We’re all afraid of looking like fools, but I promise you—no one is thinking about you more than you’re thinking about yourself.”

In the meantime, she emphasized that solo dates weren’t lonely; they were empowering.

“We all know dating is truly a slog right now,” she said. “We need surprise, excitement, anxiety, vulnerability and chance. Create opportunity, seek genuine connections and have fun!”